While ab exercises will tone your core muscles, they won't do anything about the layer of fat covering them up. Cardio is a must because it's the only way you can burn calories, which will decrease your overall percentage of body fat to slim down your middle and reveal your toned tummy.

If you really want to melt away unwanted pounds, the kind of cardio you do matters. You must exercise for at least an hour a day, five times a week, doing heart-pumping, high-intensity cardio like running, biking, swimming, or dancing. Keep in mind that interval training targets your waistline, so mix up your pace for even faster results.

It would make sense that eating less would help you lose weight, but you should never skip meals, especially the first meal of the day. Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism, regulates your blood sugar levels, and gives you energy until lunch. Make sure your breakfast choice is high in protein and fiber to fill you up and eliminate the need for an M&M mid-morning snack. Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts is always a great option, but here are some other tasty 300-calorie options. If you're short on time in the morning, make these the night before.

Eating three meals a day was a standard way of eating many years ago, but the problem with this plan is that you end up starving by the time it's mealtime, which can translate to stuffing yourself silly with huge portions. It's best to eat three regular meals and one or two healthy snacks throughout the day. Spacing out your calories and eating every three or so hours regulates your blood sugar and controls the release of insulin that can cause your body to store more calories as fat.

The one-drink-a-day recommendation isn't just good for your health — it's also good for your waistline. Alcohol can add on hundreds of extra calories, so if you're trying to slim down your belly, ditch the alcoholic bevvies for a month or so, and you're sure to notice a difference.

These are really so nice and great tips How to Lose Belly Fat. I have a friend who has an older home and today's plates won't fit in her kitchen cabinets. She actually had to get older plates at a flea market because today's have gotten so big!

5 years

"that's crazy "crunches not cardio" I thought they say you should do weight training because cardio only does so much, it doesn't build muscle which burns calories when you arent doing anything. for every weight session you do, you burn an extra 100 cals a day. Cardio only burns whatever you do while doing it and nothing else unless there is resistance then you might get serious benefits "
I have to correct something anonymous said in her response..in reference to the calories burned from weight training.You DO NOT burn an extra 100 calories for every session you do.Your body CAN however burn approx 50 more calories per day(just at rest)for every POUND of muscle your body carries.
I think what the journalist meant about the cardio vs crunches was that the average person out there is still under the false impression that one can "spot reduce" and they turn to crunches thinking that this will solve the belly issue.Cardio,no cardio..if you have excess fat anywhere it is due to not burning off more than you are eating( barring any medical conditions)

Oh man; the excessive drinking is mine. I'm trying to cut back because of an upcoming vacation in which I will have to be in a bikini A LOT, but I also am starting grad school in the fall and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have tons of left over money to buy drinks with!

5 years

I have changed all of my meals to lean protein, steamed or grilled veggies and around a gallon of unsweet tea with splenda a day, plus lots of water. Along with this, I make sure to plant flowers or do some slightly difficult yard work every day for about an hour.
In two weeks, I have lost 15 pounds, and i feel awesome. Never hungry either!
cant beat that.

"Women tend to gain weight in a few special spots — our thighs, tush, face, breasts, and of course, our tummies."
Hee. Which leaves what? Thin hands and feet?

5 years

that's crazy "crunches not cardio" I thought they say you should do weight training because cardio only does so much, it doesn't build muscle which burns calories when you arent doing anything. for every weight session you do, you burn an extra 100 cals a day. Cardio only burns whatever you do while doing it and nothing else unless there is resistance then you might get serious benefits

Crunches not cardio was totally my problem. I thought that's what would get rid of by gut. Then a dear friend mentioned that I try adding some cardio to my routine. I started running three days a week and it made a huge difference.

I actually lost weight when i switched to 3 meals a day instead of my usual 3 meals plus snacks. Mind you they were healthy snacks but I found that eating actually awakens my appetite and makes me hungry for a meal not a cup of yogurt with granola.
But by having 3 meals i sit at a table, i look at my food and my brain registers that i am about to eat and be satisfied. Then i eat slowly until i've had enough. and i found that allowing myself to get a little hungry made me look forward to and enjoy my next meal more...that's just me.

I agree on the belly fat and eating too many calories. This is definitely the first place I gain fat, so I regularly measure my waistline, in addition to keeping an eye on the scale. In my case, cardio plus Pilates seems to be keeping things in control for now!
www.vegrun.blogspot.com

Who is writing this content? You may want to get an editor who knows the subject. "Cardio" is not the only way to burn calories. Big big big error. Your cardiovascular system gets challenged not by spinning on an elliptical system, but by interval training and resistance training. Weight training gives you a better bang b/c you get cardiovascular, strength, and coordination/balance all in one workout.
Honestly, if you have substantial belly fat, it is your eating habits.